The Connection between Hair Loss and Hair Density – and Why You Should Care

Hair loss among women is at an all-time high, and the market for products concerning female hair loss remains painfully sparse. However, a recent study done by a popular cosmetics firm revealed that hair density, or the amount of strands on your head, is also a major concern among women.

What is hair density?

Hair density is defined as the amount of hair strands on your scalp. To determine your density, it's measured by counting the number of hair strands found in a square inch of your scalp. A thick hair density is usually called having "thick hair".

The classifications of hair density are thin, medium, and thick. These classifications have nothing to do with the hair texture. The average head has about 100,000 hairs.

A thicker density is ideal when styling, as it's more flexible and provides the volume that translates to a youthful appearance. Thinner densities can wear blunt hairstyles, but consumers with such a density often use voluminizing products or add curl to give the appearance of a thicker density.

Thinning hair (and less hair overall) can be lackluster and harder to style, and can even contribute to the wearer appearing more aged than they really are. Full, thick, and bouncy hair is associated with youth and vitality. Who doesn't remember seeing those shampoo commercials with the models swishing and swinging their full head of hair majestically on television? Running your fingers through such a thick density of hair feels luxurious and youthful, and thus becomes a priority among consumers.

Among all this information, it's also important to understand that hair loss is actually related to hair density.

How does preventing or reducing hair loss help thicken hair density?

Simple – if you have more hair per square inch, you appear to have fuller, thicker hair overall. When you lose patches of hair through the many causes of female hair loss, it can also leave your mane looking thin and malnourished. Using products to prevent or reduce hair loss as a whole will naturally translate to thicker hair density.

MD® has developed various products for female hair loss, such as serums, supplements, and hair care.  Innovative products such as MD® Nutri Hair, MD® Revitalizing Shampoo and Conditioner, MD® Hair Restoration System and MD® Scalp Essentials are formulated especially for women by Dr. Susan Lin, a specialist in women's health, beauty and anti-aging.

Several products in our hair care line use lilac extract to inhibit the enzyme that causes hair loss, as well as act as a gentle inflammatory to encourage less hair loss and ultimately thicker hair. Omega fatty acids, antioxidants, and minerals such as biotin and niacin can all help women achieve a fuller, thicker look by reducing hair loss.

Visit MD® today and start swinging your hair like those commercials in as early as a few weeks!

The Benefits of Sea Kelp (Macrocystis Pyrifera) Extract in Skin Care

It seems like there’s a new, innovative ingredient that’s included in skin care every year. From hyaluronic acid, to retinoids and resveratrol, the amount of possible skin-loving extracts, antioxidants, alpha hydroxyl acids and ingredients are never ending.

Well, it’s time to add yet another wonderful little miracle to the list.

Sea kelp, or macrocystis pyrifera, has also been studied in labs for its possible link to promoting a plump, youthful look by soothing the skin and improving cellular circulation. This relatively new discovery is not well documented yet, but from the  effects we’ve seen so far, the results justify its exclusive inclusion in our MD® Ultimate Skin Brightening Anti-Aging Cream.

What makes kelp extract so beneficial for the skin?

The kelp itself is a brown sea algae, or seaweed, that is normally found in the Antarctic Ocean.  Because of its rich iodine, mineral, anti-oxidant and natural anti-inflammatory aspects, kelp is believed to moisturize, soften and help skin retain its moisture.  Kelp also contains elements that help remove toxins, soothe and can easily penetrate the skin for instant hydration. It also aids in keeping skin smooth. This nourishing extract has no adverse side effects and works well with other antioxidants and vitamins such as Vitamin C and E.

Research has also shown that macrocyctis pyrifera extract can help prevent wrinkles with its rich moisturizing advantage.  Another plus to its possible anti-aging hook is its silicone content, which is believed to help prevent the skin from sagging. In spas, kelp is often used as body treatments to temporarily tighten the skin. This benefit is easily translated onto one’s face. Kelp can also help prevent the breakdown of elastin and collagen, promoting a youthful appearance.

MD® Ultimate Skin Brightening Anti-Aging Cream’s main focus is on this remarkable extract, which will help smooth, soften and nourish your skin along with Vitamins E and C. By applying this after a gentle face cleansing twice a day, you can see results in as little as 30 days.  Let MD’s anti-aging cream help diminish the appearance of age spots, wrinkles, and pores and visibly rejuvenate your skin – all with extra brightening effects to deal with discoloration, age spots or uneven skin tone. 

MD® Ultimate Skin Brightening Anti-Aging Cream also provides antioxidant protection and heals sun damage while inhibiting melanin production and hydrating the skin, leaving your skin looking flawless.

Algae photo credit: Scott Gabara

End bad hair days due to a flaky, oily, itchy scalp and thin hair in weeks

Most women would rather stay at home than deal with yet another bad hair day. Having hair that won’t cooperate is frustrating enough – but it’s made even more pronounced when the cause is something that’s seemingly obvious to solve, yet won’t go away. Full, thick, luxurious hair’s noticeably easier to style – but what do you do when your hair’s limp, oily, flaky and itchy?

What exactly causes a flaky, itchy and uncomfortable scalp?

Thinning, oily, hair can often be traced back to its roots – or in this case, the scalp. A flaky, oily, itchy scalp is a constant contributor to bad hair days. Learn how to attack the issue head-on with ingredients that handle the source efficiently, safely, and naturally.

Excessive sebum or oil production is the primary cause for such a scalp condition. The extra oils contribute to an overgrowth of scalp fungus, and that creates dandruff, inflammation and flakes.

In addition, DHT, or dihydroxytestosterone, is formed when a naturally occurring enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase is combined with normal testosterone. This is also a main cause of hair loss and baldness.

Dandruff, a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis, is also a major factor of excessive sebum production. The most common symptoms are an itchy, inflamed, and sometimes oily scalp that produces dry, white flakes.

A simple and effective formula to combat an oily, itchy scalp and dandruff

MD Scalp Essentials is our breakthrough, physician formulated product created to cut down on excessive sebum production, the enzyme that causes DHT and hair loss, work against the fungus and bacteria that exacerbate the symptoms, and finally ease your scalp.

This naturally inspired and fast acting formula uses three powerful compounds, verbascoside, mandelic acid and caffeine. Verbascoside comes from extracts of the lilac flower, while mandelic acid is derived from the extract of bitter almonds. Caffeine supports the functionality of verbascoide and mandelic acid, and also help inhibit further hair loss.

Our fast acting formula addresses BOTH the symptoms and the cause so you can have enjoy an itch-free scalp, benefit from less frequent shampooing and fuller, thickerlooking hair.

Verbascoside

Here at MD®, we've been able to isolate verbascoside from the lilac through carefully measured and highly sustainable, advanced, and eco-friendly plant stem cell extraction technology.

Verbascoside, an antioxidant and defense molecule is a result of this process. It has been shown to regulate and control your scalp's oil, and quickly relieve an itchy scalp.

Verbascoside also controls sebum production, inhibits DHT, and simultaneously reacts against the Malassezia fungus, making this an all-in-one product to safely and naturally control dandruff.

Mandelic Acid

Mandelic acid is a pleasantly fragranced alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), formed when heating an extract from bitter almonds with diluted hydrochloric acid.

We have discovered that the antibacterial and antifungal mandelic acid, when combined with the oil reduction power of verbascoside, harmoniously develops a simple, fast-acting and easy to use formula that will treat your issues right at the source.

Caffeine

Recent scientific studies show that applying caffeine topically to the scalp can inhibit the hormone that contributes to hair loss and stimulating hair follicles. These tests have also shown that caffeine has helped prevent further hair loss.

A study from the University of Jena discovered that caffeine is effective on patients whose pattern baldness was a result of excessive DHT. Their research has also led to results that showed caffeine alone leading to a significant stimulation of hair growth.

Try MD Essentials Today 

This innovative technology in MD Scalp Essentials will refresh your greasy scalp, reduce the appearance of dandruff and flakes and soothe an inflamed scalp, resulting in fuller, thicker looking hair and a healthier base overall.

Stylists, listen up: How to educate your clients on hair loss

As we discussed in our last article, hair loss is a tough subject to approach and discuss with your female clients. As the professional, your voice and knowledge can and will make a difference with your client and ultimately help you both achieve your goals - her with thick, full locks, and you with her loyalty, camaraderie  and repeat business. 

But how do you start on becoming her go-to with her hair loss issues, even without a medical degree?

Become an expert in hair loss, treatments and solutions

Before you can confidently begin to offer solutions, options or advice on hair loss, you should become an expert on the subject. If your clients are aware of their hair loss, they may be doing online research and finding misinformation. Your goal is to show that you have not only the answers, but are much more knowledgeable about the subject than they believe. Become a reliable source of accurate information for your clients.

Once you know all about the different types of hair loss and its causes, you’ll need to learn about the numerous possible treatments and solutions. Even if your client isn’t asking for any specific endorsement, knowing what their choices are can help you deduce the right suggestion when it does come down to a recommendation.

Familiarize yourself with solutions depending on the type of hair loss 

There are several solutions and treatments for female hair loss, ranging from topically applied products, orally ingested supplements, shampoos, conditioners, serums and much more. Brush up on your knowledge regarding active ingredients that work against hair loss such as minoxidil, finasteride, and verbascoside. You can also mention hair restoration surgery. While a possible solution, only 250,000 procedures have been done in 2009 worldwide, and the market is dominated by men. Female hair loss is still mainly unconsidered.

How do you educate your clients on hair loss?

When speaking to a client about hair loss, use layman's terms. Avoid too many medical terms unless they are simple enough to pronounce and are used sparingly. For example, you’ll likely have to use the term “androgenetic alopecia” as the official term for hair loss, but you can use the acronym “DHT" instead of dihydroxytestosterone.

Use simplicity to describe hair loss and its causes. Explain what the common and primary symptoms are, such as seeing more hair on your pillow or brush. Show them how to inspect their hair on the crown. 

Describe the various causes and why they can contribute to hair loss, and ensure that they understand each one clearly. If necessary, explain in detail how hormones can affect hair loss, or even ask them if they possibly know someone in the family that suffered from it.

By instilling all of your knowledge to your client in an easy to understand manner, you empower them to look for a solution - ideally from you.

How stylists can help their clients with hair loss

As a stylist, your female client and their hair is your canvas. But what do you do - or worse, say - when your client’s hair is thinning or looks less full than before? 

There are many reasons why women suffer from hair loss. Hair loss, or alopecia, comes in many forms and affects both men and women worldwide. 

Hormone fluctuations (such as from menopause), genetics and stress are a few of the most common causes of hair loss. 

The most tell-sale sign is noticeably less hair, thinner overall density, and seeing more of the scalp on the crown. Female pattern baldness often starts at the crown.

While you can’t replace these professionals or their focused expertise, what can you do to help? How do your approach a client who is losing her hair but not asking for solutions yet?

The moment you notice your client’s thinning hair, take the initiative. Ask questions, such as whether they’re noticing more hair on their brush, in the sink, on the pillowcase, or on the floor while grooming. Seeing more hair in these areas is often the first sign of hair loss.

Acknowledge that there is an issue and start educating your client on the causes and symptoms of hair loss. Assure them that they are not alone and that is a widespread issue. Share statistics to keep them at ease. Tell your client how hair loss can happen, such as hormonal, genetic, or health issues. By letting them know the possible causes, it empowers them to actively look for a way to stop it at the source.